Transparent heel post protecting device and method

ABSTRACT

A device and method for protecting the heel post area of a high heel shoe that is not visible to the casual observer. The device may be comprised of flexible transparent material, having a front side for protecting the surface of the heel post area, and a back side comprising an adhesive for removably adhering the device to the surface of the heel post area, and a shape configured for wrapping around the heel post area. The method and device may also comprise a means for removing a worn device from the heel post area after use, and for replacing the worn device with a new device.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention pertains to the field of footwear accessories and more specifically relates to devices and methods for preserving the condition of high heel shoes.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION AND DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

High heel shoes raise the foot of the wearer above the toes, making the wearer's legs appear more long and slender, and also forcing the body to tilt forward while walking. Some types of high heel shoes such as the stiletto comprise a tall, slim heel post with generally at least a minimum height of an inch (or two) and a thin diameter at the point of contact with the ground (the heel tip). This design may concentrate much of the weight of the wearer into the small tip of the heel post (i.e., the heel tip, aka, top lift, dowel lift, top piece), which can make walking more difficult, cause significant pain in the ball of the foot, lessen the control of the wearer, damage floors, and cause loud stepping. Certain devices over the years have been created to try and compensate for some of these problems. For example, some caps attach to the heel tip to protect the heel tip, protect ground surfaces or other things underneath the heel tip, increase comfort, and reduce footstep noise. Some caps are often cup shaped, u-shaped, and/or have D-shaped cross sections, and cover the heel tip with a portion of the cap lying between the heel tip and the ground, and have a larger diameter than the heel tip, thereby distributing pressure over a larger surface area. Other devices may intend to compensate for certain structural disadvantages of high heels by increasing the sheer strength of the heel post, for example once the heel post has broken due to a sudden transverse force, caused for example by the heel post getting caught in underground openings, the wearer stumbling, etc.

Although these devices may perform their intended functions as expected, problems continue to exist relating to the use of high heel shoes, for which practical and adequate solutions do not exist in the market. For example, a wearer may develop a particular fondness for a pair (or many different pairs) of high heels. Yet, eventually use may lead to deterioration of the condition of the high heels, and the appearance fading, becoming blemished, and/or worn out. Eventually the pair of high heels may not serve the intended purpose, at least not to the same degree as before, and regardless of the wearer's previous fondness for the shoes, the shoes may have to be discarded. It would be desirable, therefore if a device existed that assisted in prolonging the striking appearance of a high heel and preserve its like-new condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Due possibly in part to the heel post's increasing diameter the greater the distance from the heel tip, the heel post and high heel areas surrounding the heel post may be particularly susceptible to wear and tear. Dust and dirt and other unwanted particles may be dislodged from the ground by the heel tip and/or the sole of the high heel, and may consequently adhere to and form a residue against the sides of the heel post. Such particles accelerate deterioration, cause discoloration, and may also cause blemishes along the heel post area. In addition, inadvertent (and potentially lateral) contact to the heel post by a variety of objects (due possibly to the somewhat unstable and more exposed position of the heel post) may also cause dings to the sides of the heel post and lacerations to the finish. For example, such wear and tear could occur to a pair of high heels from stepping in dirt, in a puddle, or accidentally stepping in a grate. Thus, it would be desirable if a device existed for protecting the heel post and surrounding area. The aforementioned cap devices for protecting the heel tips of high heels, or for sheer strength, do not sufficiently accomplish such a task, nor were they intended to. Rather, such devices are usually limited in height (to generally not more than about a half-inch) and do not extend protection over a substantial length of the heel post.

In addition, although a primary purpose of wearing high heels is to look fashionable, such cap-like devices may often detract from some of the aesthetic appeal of the high heel design. Specifically, such caps are often bulky in comparison to the slender heel post and therefore may “stick out.” Although some caps may be intended to match the color of a shoe, given the variety of shoe colors and color patterns this may not be easily accomplishable, and it would furthermore be economically impractical to manufacture caps for each shoe design and color. Even if semi-transparent caps were to exist, they would presumably be based on prior art cap designs and therefore would still be somewhat bulky in relation to the heel post and consequently would not adequately “blend in” with the high heel design. Similar to heel-tip protectors, other devices may also have certain disadvantages relating to either aesthetics and/or protecting the heel post and surrounding area. Thus, in light of the considerable amount of discomfort a person may be willing to undergo to wear, and may be willing to spend on, a stylish pair of high heels, it would be desirable if a device existed that not only protected the heel post area from unwanted wear and tear and dings, scuffs, etc., thereby prolonging the life of the shoe, but that did so while preserving the appearance of the high post part of the high heel to the outward observer.

Described herein is a device for protecting the heel post area of a high heel. The device may be comprised of flexible transparent material having a shape configured for wrapping around the heel post area so that said area is covered. The device may further comprise front and back sides, with the front side for protecting the surface of the heel post area from dust and dirt and other particles, as well as from the damaging impact of other objects. The back side may comprise an adhesive for adhering to the surface of the heel post area. In one embodiment, the adhesive may removably attach to the heel post area, having sufficient adhesiveness to attach to the high post area surface yet later be removed without leaving adhesive (and potentially visible) residue on the heel post area surface. It is anticipated that such a removable capability may be desirable for instances where the adhesiveness might wear out, or if the front surface of the device becomes scratched or otherwise obtains blemishes that render it less serviceable or less transparent.

Although configured for wrapping around the heel post area, the size and particular shape of different device embodiments for accomplishing this may vary according to embodiment. In one embodiment, for example, a first end (or top end) of the device, for wrapping around a higher part of the heel post, may have a wider width than a second end (or bottom end) for attaching to a point lower on the heel post, the first end and second end being connected by a device body of material, having a predetermined length. Said length of the device may vary according to embodiment, depending on, for example, the height of a particular heel post, and may not necessarily be equal to the sides of the device, since said sides (separating the top end from the bottom end), due to the different widths of the top and bottom ends may be angled slightly and therefore may in some embodiments have longer lengths than the device length separating the top end from the bottom end at the shortest point possible. In some embodiments, it is anticipated that the device may cover substantially three-quarters of the heel post area. Also in some embodiments, the shape of the device may be configured to cover and wrap around the heel post area, but not necessarily wrap all the way around the entire circumference of the heel post—in particular toward the frontward direction of the person, i.e., towards the toes of the person. For example, in one specific embodiment, the device may comprise a shape so that after the back side adheres to a portion of the heel post area, the device may leave a vertical running slit in the inside direction (i.e., facing the toe area of the heel shoe), which may often be a less visible part of the heel post area. Said slit may or may not run the entire vertical length of the device, and in some embodiments may form a means for removing the device more easily. In other words, said slit may form an openable seam for removal of the device. In addition, in one embodiment, one portion of the side of the device along the slit may also feature a small piece jutting horizontally into the slitted area from the rest of the device, for gripping with fingertips to allow removing more conveniently. Other means for forming an openable seam for removal may also be provided in some embodiments. In some other embodiments, the device may comprise several pieces or strips for attaching to different areas of the heel post. In other embodiments, the device may comprise a shape, or different pieces together may comprise a shape, for also covering the upper portion of the heel post area, and not just the heel post itself.

In one embodiment, the sizes of the device may comprise different predetermined sizes such as small, medium, and large, for attaching to different-sized heel posts. For example, for a certain style of three-inch (or substantially three-inch) high heel shoes found commonly in the market, the dimensions of one device embodiment may comprise a bottom end width in a range of two and a half to three and a half inches and preferably about three inches, a top end width in a range of three and a half to four and a half inches and preferably about four inches, and a length ranging from about one and a half to two and a half inches, and preferably about two inches. Similarly, for a certain style of four-inch (or substantially four-inch) high heel shoes found in the market, the dimensions of one device embodiment may comprise a bottom end width in a range of one to two inches and preferably about one and a half inches, a top end width in a range of three to four inches and preferably about three and half inches, and a length ranging from about two to three inches, and preferably about two and a half inches. By way of further illustration, for a certain style of six-inch (or substantially six-inch) high heel shoes found in the market, the dimensions of one device embodiment may comprise a bottom end width in a range of one half to one and one half inches and preferably about one inch, a top end width in a range of one and a half to two and a half inches and preferably about two inches, and a length ranging from about two and a half to three and a half inches, and preferably about three inches.

In certain embodiments, the device may also be configured in various ways to make it less noticeable. For example, the flexible material may in one preferred embodiment be transparent, and according to variation may comprise different types of transparent materials, such as a plastic (and preferably a recyclable or biodegradable plastic, or other suitable environmentally-friendly material). The materials, for example, may include but not be limited to: polyester, cellulose acetate, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyvinyl chloride. Also, different embodiments may comprise varying thicknesses, so that the device, when wrapped around at least a portion of the heel post area, is not bulky and remains largely unnoticeable to the casual observer. In some embodiments, for example, the flexible material may comprise a thickness of 3 gauge to 50 gauge. In other embodiments, the back side may be configured to adhere to the heel post area so that the likelihood of visible pockets of air between the surface of the heel post area and the back side is substantially diminished. For example, said embodiments may comprise shapes adapted for evenly distributing the flexible material over the portion of the surface that is covered. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the material and finish of the front side may have a predetermined level of “shininess” or otherwise may be configured for reflecting light at a predetermined level (i.e., “gloss”), according to embodiment, and intended to match the level of light reflection or shininess (i.e, gloss) of the surface of the natural heel post area, which may depend on the finish of said area surface and/or the material comprising said heel post area of the shoe. For example, in certain embodiments the device material and/or device front side may be either gloss-like or neutral, depending on the shoe.

In contrast to bulky, heavier, harder caps, it is anticipated that embodiments of the device may be lightweight and more conveniently easily portable (in for example, a purse). Moreover, in some embodiments, a transfer sheet structure may be included for more convenient storing and carrying of the device, which transfer street structure may be configured for assisting in retaining the adhesive qualities of the back side without the back side securely adhering to the transfer sheet structure. Also in contrast to caps and other prior art devices for covering the heel tip, therefore requiring harder material capable of bearing a high amount of pressure placed thereon, the device described herein may be comprised of material that is relatively less expensive to manufacture. It is anticipated that such relative low costs may be passed onto consumers and therefore make regular replacing the device a more attractive option. Although the device described herein is comprised of transparent material and has one objective of being less or not noticeable, it is anticipated that some high heel wearers may, instead of utilize material that is intended to be visible yet enhancement the aesthetic features of the high heel. For example, some such devices may comprise a top side having patterns or designs that are visible and in fact intended to complement the color or design of the high heel shoe.

Described herein is also a method for preserving the condition of the heel post area of a high heel, using the aforementioned device. In some embodiments, the method may comprise the steps of first (if necessary), cleaning/preparing the surface of the heel post area of any unwanted particles, for receiving the adhesive portion of the back side of the device. In some method embodiments for use with a new pair of high heels, the device may be applied directly without substantial or any cleaning/preparing the surface. In some anticipated embodiments, the device may also be removed from a transfer sheet structure configured to assist in retaining the adhesive qualities of the back side without the back side securely adhering to the transfer sheet structure. Once removed from the transfer sheet structure, the adhesive portion may be applied/mounted/attached to the heel post area surface, the particulars of which step may vary according to embodiment. In some embodiments, the method may also comprise the step of removing the device once its condition or appearance has deteriorated, and then potentially replacing the device with another device. It is anticipated that the device and method will have advantageous application shortly after a new pair of high heels is bought, as a preventative measure, in order to most effectively preserve the condition of the heel post.

The above description and listed alternative embodiments are considered that of some embodiments only. It is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described below are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit scope. Alterations and modifications, therefore, and such further applications as would occur to those skilled in the relevant art(s), are also contemplated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a device embodiment for protecting the heel post area of a high heel shoe, mounted to the heel post of a new high heel shoe.

FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate a method of mounting the device of FIG. 1 to a high heel shoe and then replacing the device after the device has incurred wear and tear.

FIG. 3A illustrates a device embodiment for protecting the heel post area, comprising strips.

FIG. 3B illustrates a device embodiment for protecting the heel post area that covers higher up along the heel post than the device embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3C illustrates a device embodiment for protecting the heel post area that leaves a vertical slit along the inner side of the heel post.

FIG. 4 illustrates a device embodiment for protecting the heel post area comprising a fingernail gripping piece to facilitate removal of the device from the heel post area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

“Heel post area” is defined herein to include the heel post and the pitch, up to the point where the heel post meets the seat of the high heel shoe. The heel post area may include said area of various high heel shoe types, and is not limited to solely the stiletto genre. “Wrap” or “wrapping” is defined as being adhesively placed against at least a portion of a non-planar surface, but need not require completely encircling the circumference of an object.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a device embodiment 5 for protecting the heel post 7 area of a high heel shoe 6, mounted to the heel post 7 area. Mounting the device embodiment 5 shown to the heel post 7 area may be accomplished in a few steps, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the device 5 may be comprised of flexible transparent material having a shape configured for at least partially wrapping around the heel post 7 area. As shown in FIG. 2A, the device 5 may comprise a top end (or side) 15 having a first width W1 and a bottom end (or side) 16 having a second width W2, the second width W2 being narrower than the first width W2, the top side 15 and the bottom side 16 connected by a length L of flexible transparent material. The device may also comprise a front side 8 and a back side 9, with the front side 8 comprising a surface for protecting the surface of the heel post 7 area, and the back side 9 comprising an adhesive for adhering to the surface 10 of the heel post 7 area (as shown in FIG. 2B).

Before the device 5 is mounted to the surface 10 of the heel post 7 area, the back side 9 may be stored against another surface 11 for preserving the adhesiveness of the back side 9 (such as the surface of the transfer sheet 11 shown in FIG. 2A), from which the device 5 may be removed prior to mounting on the surface 10 of the heel post 7 area, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. For mounting, the back side 9 of the device 5 may be peeled from the adhesive-preserving surface 11 so that the device 5 is removed from said surface 11 with the adhesive back side 9 exposed. Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, the adhesive back side 9 may be placed over at least a portion of the surface 10 of the heel post 7 area so that it adheres to the surface 10 of the heel post 7 area, and so that the device 5 at least partially wraps around the heel post 7 area, so that the heel post 7 area is at least partially covered, with the protective front side 8 facing radially outward. In the embodiment shown, this step may include placing the bottom side 16 having a second width W2 close to the bottom of the heel post 7 and the heel tip 17 and the top side 15 having a first width W1 higher along the heel post 7 area and substantially a length L above the bottom side 16. With the device 5 so mounted, as shown in FIG. 2C, the adhesiveness of the back side 9 may be sufficient so that the high heel shoe 6 may be worn by a person 12 without fear of the device 5 inadvertently falling off, and therefore, being securely mounted so that the heel post 7 area is more protected from external objects and conditions, such as dirt particles 13.

Moreover, since the device 5 is comprised of transparent material, when mounted to the high heel shoe 6 the esthetic appearance of the shoe 6 may only minimally be affected. However, as shown in FIG. 2D, after wear and tear of the front side 8 occurs from use so that blemishes 14 begin to appear and the device 5 becomes more noticeable, the now-blemished device 5 may be removed from the heel post 7 area by essentially peeling off the back side 9 from the surface 10 of the heel post 7 area so that it is entirely removed. In other words, the adhesiveness of the back side 9 is not so strong as to prevent device 5 from being removed when concentrated radially-outward pressure is applied close to a corner 18 or other part of the device 5. Moreover, in the device embodiment 5 shown, the adhesive back side 9 is configured to enable removal of the device 5 without leaving adhesive residue. Next, as shown in FIG. 2F, the blemished device 5 may be replaced (by repeating the steps shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B) with a new unblemished device 19.

The shapes and sizes of the device embodiments may vary according to shoe design (including heel post area shape) and to preference. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, one device embodiment 20 may be comprised of several vertically elongated strips 21 that together may cover a substantial portion of the heel post 7 area. (Other similar embodiment may be comprised of several horizontal strips.). FIG. 3B illustrates another device embodiment 22 comprised of transparent flexible material for protecting the high post 7 of a high heel shoe 6 that covers part of the heel post 7 area located higher up along the heel post 23 than the device embodiment 5 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3C illustrates yet another device embodiment 24, having a shape configured to cover at least a portion of the heel post 7 area that is facing towards the same direction as the back 25 of the heel shoe 6, but not necessarily wrap all the way around the inner side 27 of the heel post 7, towards the toe end 26 of the heel 6. For example, in the embodiment 24 shown in FIG. 3C, the device 24 may comprise a shape so that it does not necessarily wrap completely around the heel post 7 area but rather leave a vertically running slit 28 in a portion of the inner side 27, which may provide a means for removing the device 24 more easily. In another embodiment of the device 29, shown in FIG. 4, two sides 30, 31 may connect the top end 15 to the bottom end 16 of the device 29 and one of said sides 31 may comprise a small piece 32 that extends outward from the side 31 and the device body of material 33, for gripping with fingertips to allow more convenient removal. 

I claim:
 1. A device for protecting a heel post area of a high heel shoe, the heel post area having a surface, the device comprising: flexible transparent material having a shape configured for wrapping around the heel post area; front and back sides, the front side comprising a surface for protecting the surface of the heel post area, the back side comprising an adhesive for removably adhering the device to the surface of the heel post area; wherein, the back side adheres to the heel post area surface so that the device wraps around the heel post area.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a top end having a first width and a bottom end having a second width, the top end being connected to the bottom end by a body of flexible transparent material having at the shortest distance from the top end to the bottom end a device length.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the first width of the top end is wider than the second width of the bottom end.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the body of material connecting the top end to the bottom end has a plurality of body width values along the device length, and the heel post area has a plurality of circumference values at different vertical points along the heel post, and the first width of the top end, and the second width of the bottom end, and the plurality of body width values are proportional to some of the plurality of heel post circumference values.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the device is configured to cover substantially ¾^(th) of the heel post.
 6. The device of claim 4, wherein the high heel shoe has a toe area, and for purposes of identification the heel post area has an inner side facing the toe area, and the first width of the top end and the second width of the bottom end, and the plurality of body width values are configured to wrap around the heel post area so that a vertical slit along the inner side of the heel post area is left uncovered.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the vertical slit provides an openable seam for removal of the device from the heel post area.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the shape of the device further comprises a fingertip gripping piece that, when the device is wrapped around the heel post area, extends horizontally into the vertical slit area.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein, the adhesive back side has sufficient adhesiveness to attach the heel post area yet be removed without leaving adhesive residue.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the heel post area surface has a level of shininess and the surface of the front side further has a level of shininess substantially matching the heel post area surface level of shininess.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible transparent material comprises a plastic.
 12. A method for protecting at least a portion of the surface of a heel post area of a high heel shoe using flexible transparent material comprising front and back sides, the front side comprising a surface for protecting the surface of the heel post area, the back side comprising an adhesive for removably adhering the device to the surface of the heel post area, the method comprising the following steps: Mounting the back side of the device so that it adheres to heel post area surface and wraps around the heel post area.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the device further comprises a top end and a bottom end, and the step of mounting the back side of the device to the heel post area surface includes mounting the top end higher along the heel post surface than the bottom end.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the heel post has varying circumferences at different vertical points along the heel post, and the device top end has a top end width, and the device bottom end has a bottom end width, and the top end is connected to the bottom end by a device body having a varying body width, and the top end width, the bottom end width, and the body width have dimensions proportionally related to the heel post circumferences, and the step of mounting the back side of the device to the heel post area surface includes matching the top end width, the bottom end width, and the body width with the heel post circumferences so that the device covers at least a portion of the heel post area without overlapping.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the high heel shoe comprises a toe area and the heel post area comprises an inner side facing the toe area, and the step of mounting the back side of the device to the heel post area surface includes matching the top end width, the bottom end width, and the body width with the heel post circumferences so that the device leaves a vertical slit of the inner side of the heel post area surface uncovered by the device.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of removing the device, and wherein the vertical slit forms an openable seam for removing the device.
 17. The method of claim 12, further comprising a step of preparing to mount the back side of the device to the heel post area surface.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein a transfer sheet is configured to removably store the device prior to use so that the adhesive back side retains its adhesiveness, and the step of preparing to mount the back side to the heel post area surface includes peeling the device from the transfer sheet.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of preparing to mount the back side to the heel post area surface includes cleaning the heel post area surface.
 20. The method of claim 12, wherein the heel post area surface has a level of shininess, and the surface of the front side of the device further comprises a level of shininess, and further comprising the step of substantially matching the level of shininess of the front side of the device to the level of shininess of the heel post area surface. 